Bergmeyer Spotlight is an online series of interviews featuring Bergmeyer’s professionals. This month’s spotlight is on Bill Spaulding, an Associate at the firm and Manager of Education and Training who has been with the firm for over 13 years.
What led you to study architecture?
It started when I was quite young with tree houses then observing and assisting my dad and uncles build summer cottages. Where can one do this? On a quiet lake in New Hampshire. My grandfather, his brother and a few friends wanted a place for their families to enjoy life together – founded more than 60 years ago. Growing up in that environment formed my love of the outdoors, understanding family is first and construction.
As a young artist I won some competitions and was even on a local TV show. I attended a vocational school for commercial illustration, but found more meaning in drafting and design. Drawing mixed with learning how to construct – magic button!
What helped seal this growing passion? My high school teacher was an architect. Thinking back to his lifestyle and his approach to teaching was unique. He brought it all full circle and it was something I found I wanted.
What are you currently working on at Bergmeyer?
Right now my goal is to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their knowledge. Ultimately my mission is to bring our firm’s expertise to a higher level. We have so many talented people working on different types of projects.
Breaking down silos so all the voices and talents within our firm can be shared is important. If there was a driving concept it would be having all shared knowledge easily accessed.
I also spend time reviewing our processes, and focus on communication within the firm to evolve standards through digital tools and new technologies.
What do you love about working at Bergmeyer?
Hands down it’s the people that brought me back after I left to work on my own, live and work in Europe, snowboard and bike almost everywhere, and earn a teaching degree.
We have the freedom to create your own paths. The best is that my path has been supported and guidance provided not just by senior management, but also by staff at all levels.
There’s a stigma about Bergmeyer, but I mean that in a positive way. We have reputation in the profession that we see our people as more important than design – they are our greatest asset. The firm understands the success of our business is based on a fulfilled, engaged, and challenged team. From that team comes great design and great performance.
What architecture/ interior space has inspired you the most?
So this is a hard one! There are so many places I could say inspire me, but if I had to pick a built one I’d choose Gaudi’s Park Guell in Barcelona. It’s sculptural – the way wandering is an adventure with so many opportunities for discovery. I’ve been there a few times, but each time I discover something new – it blows my mind. Gaudi had a concept that drove the design, but he changed the design as he lived in the space – like a master builder.
What is the one thing (not essential to survival) that you would want to have with you if you were stranded on a desert island?
It’s easy to say a sketch book…..because when I’m sketching time is lost. I can’t think of anything else. When life is crazy, always busy always on adventures and going, going, going….. When it all ends, I think I have will wish I’d sketched more.
Thanks for sharing, Bill! Take a look back at some of our past Bergmeyer Spotlights to get to know more about the people inside the firm.
